
Carlos Soler comes from a close Valencian family that played an important role in the beginning of his football career. His parents are Antonio Soler and Mercedes Barragán, while his maternal grandfather, Rafael Barragán, was the person who encouraged him to join his first organized football team.
The Spanish midfielder has an older brother named Álex Soler. His partner is Spanish entrepreneur and social-media personality Marta Marchena, with whom he welcomed his first child, a son, in February 2026.
Who Is Carlos Soler’s Girlfriend?
Carlos Soler’s partner is Marta Marchena. She is a Spanish entrepreneur, content creator and former television personality from Seville. Marchena appeared on the Spanish reality program Un príncipe para tres princesas in 2016 before developing her career away from television.
Carlos and Marta reportedly began their relationship in 2022, around the period when the midfielder left Valencia for Paris Saint-Germain. She subsequently divided her time between Seville and Paris while Soler played in France.
Marchena has also been involved in business. She opened a restaurant venture in Seville with Alba Silva, the wife of Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Rico. Her public profile combines entrepreneurship, fashion and social-media content.
Although Soler has occasionally referred to Marta as his “woman” or “wife” in an affectionate, informal sense, he called her his girlfriend during an interview in February 2026. No widely documented public wedding has been confirmed. It is therefore more accurate to describe Marta Marchena as his partner unless the couple confirms that they are legally married.
Does Carlos Soler Have Children?
Carlos Soler and Marta Marchena have one child together. Their first son was born in February 2026, making the midfielder a father for the first time.
Soler missed a Real Sociedad match shortly after the birth. When he returned and scored the winning goal against Mallorca on February 28, 2026, he celebrated by dedicating it to his newborn son and Marta.
After the match, Soler revealed that Marta had sent him a photograph of their baby wearing a Real Sociedad shirt. The emotional moment demonstrated how important becoming a father had been to him during his first season in San Sebastián.
The couple has protected some details about the child from extensive public attention. Although their son’s arrival and subsequent baptism have been reported, Soler has not made the child’s full personal information a central part of his public profile.
Who Are Carlos Soler’s Parents?
Carlos Soler’s parents are Antonio Soler and Mercedes Barragán. They are also known by the familiar names Toño and Merche. Both supported their son during his development from a young player in Bonrepòs i Mirambell to a professional footballer with Valencia.
Antonio Soler helped Carlos enter an environment where he could develop his natural interest in football. A friend of Antonio named José Luis Rodríguez, commonly known as Rodri, was involved with the football school in Bonrepòs and encouraged the family to take Carlos and his brother there.
Mercedes Barragán also provided stability during her son’s formative years. Both parents were working, which meant that Carlos’s grandfather frequently helped take the children to training sessions and matches.
Antonio and Mercedes appeared publicly with their son at Mestalla in August 2021. Valencia arranged for them to present Carlos with the silver medal he had won representing Spain at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Mercedes described the family’s pride in him, while Antonio highlighted the work Carlos had invested in earning the achievement.
Soler has continued mentioning his parents during important moments. Following Real Sociedad’s major success in 2026, he became emotional while dedicating the achievement to his partner, newborn son and parents.
Who Is Carlos Soler’s Brother?
Carlos Soler has an older brother named Álex Soler. The two brothers played football together during their childhood in the Valencia region.
Álex was already playing at the Bonrepòs football school when Carlos began showing a strong interest in the game. Carlos would accompany his brother and use breaks in Álex’s matches to play with their grandfather near the pitch.
These informal childhood sessions helped introduce Carlos to organized football. His grandfather noticed his enthusiasm and convinced him to join the local team. Unlike Carlos, Álex did not go on to build a widely documented career at the highest professional level and has remained outside the spotlight.
No reliable reports have confirmed that Carlos has additional brothers or sisters. Álex is the only sibling consistently identified in established accounts of the footballer’s childhood.
How Carlos Soler’s Grandfather Started His Football Journey
Carlos Soler’s maternal grandfather, Rafael Barragán, was one of the most influential people in the beginning of his career. Since Carlos’s parents were working, Rafael regularly accompanied his grandchildren to football activities.
While Álex participated in matches, the young Carlos would kick a ball with his grandfather. Rafael reportedly acted as the goalkeeper while his grandson practiced shooting.
Carlos initially preferred playing freely rather than joining an organized side. Rafael persuaded him to register with the Bonrepòs football school by promising him a Nintendo Game Boy. That agreement became a famous part of Soler’s childhood story.
After displaying his ability at Bonrepòs, Carlos joined Valencia’s academy in 2005 at approximately seven years old. He would eventually progress into the senior team and become one of the club’s most important academy graduates of his generation.
Where Is Carlos Soler’s Family From?
Carlos Soler Barragán was born on January 2, 1997, in Valencia, Spain. He grew up in the Valencia region and began playing football in Bonrepòs i Mirambell, a municipality north of the city.
His connection to Valencia was strengthened by his parents, brother and grandfather, who accompanied him through his earliest years in the sport. Soler joined Valencia CF as a child and later represented its senior team before moving abroad.
Even after playing for Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United, Soler has continued expressing pride in his Valencian origins. His family remains closely associated with the story of how his professional career began.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carlos Soler’s Family
Who is Carlos Soler’s girlfriend?
Carlos Soler’s partner is Marta Marchena, a Spanish entrepreneur and social-media personality from Seville. They reportedly began dating in 2022.
Is Carlos Soler married to Marta Marchena?
No public wedding has been reliably confirmed. Although Soler has occasionally used the word “wife” informally, he also referred to Marta as his girlfriend in February 2026.
Does Carlos Soler have children?
Yes. Carlos Soler and Marta Marchena welcomed their first child, a son, in February 2026.
Who are Carlos Soler’s parents?
Carlos Soler’s father is Antonio “Toño” Soler, and his mother is Mercedes “Merche” Barragán.
Does Carlos Soler have a brother?
Yes. Carlos Soler has an older brother named Álex Soler, with whom he played football during his childhood.
Who is Carlos Soler’s grandfather?
His maternal grandfather is Rafael Barragán. He encouraged Carlos to join his first football team and regularly accompanied him and his brother to matches.
Where is Carlos Soler’s family from?
Carlos Soler’s family is closely connected to Valencia, Spain. He was born in Valencia and began playing football in nearby Bonrepòs i Mirambell.
How did Carlos Soler start playing football?
His grandfather, Rafael Barragán, persuaded him to join the Bonrepòs football school by promising him a Nintendo Game Boy. Soler later entered Valencia’s academy at approximately seven years old.

James Horan is a football writer focused on the Premier League transfer market, covering confirmed signings, transfer rumors, and club strategies during the transfer windows.
